This is a topic I love to check out from time to time in other forums...just to see if I need to check out anything. I have been introduced to a few artists this way.
Lately, I have been going back through my older stuff....and digging out some Blaze Foley. If you are not familiar with him, do yourself a favor and check him out!

I’m always in a Slaid Cleaves mood.. but today I spent alot of listens on a band called “The Great Unknowns”.  I received their CD back in 2006 and really got hooked on this group. The problem is they really are unknown like no one appears to know what happened to the band Their website (http://www.thegreatunknowns.com) hasn’t been updated in 2 years. It’s sad and a mystery! Lead singer, Becky, has a truly fantastic voice.  I really dig their style with the songs too, very unique and gritty at times.  Anyway, if you’re looking for a gem of a CD that I’m 99.9% sure you’ve never heard of check out. They appear to have most of the album available for download on their site including a acoustic version of the song “Abeline”. It’s not quite as polished as the studio cut but hey it’s live

Favorite Tracks:
-Round Hill
-Abeline http://www.greatunknowns.com/audio/abilene_full.mp3
-Something To Do http://www.greatunknowns.com/audio/something_clip.mp3
-1000 Miles from Nowhere

CDs that I’ve been giving repeated listens (in no particular order):
- Chris Knight “Heart Of Stone”
- The Steeldrivers
- Dan Baird & Homemade Sin
- Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper “Leavin’ Town”
- Dan Paisley & Southern Grass “Room Over Mine”

I’ve also been listening to a town of stuff from the ‘60s that has been digitized from vinyl: Don Gibson, Billy Walker, Bill Anderson, Porter Wagoner, Loretta Lynn and Dave Dudley.

Great question and it is a wonderful way to introduce others to new artists.  Currently, I’ve not been able to stop listening to the new album from Kylie Harris - entitled “Love, Lessons & Lies”. While the CD isn’t slated to be released until later in the year, Kylie has been selling advanced promo copies at her live gigs.  You can check out three clips on her MySpace page - http://www.myspace.com/kylieharrismusic

Or - check out her live performances....she’s playing a showcase during the AMA festival in Nashville this year.  If you like what you hear on the MySpace page and would like to hear more - PM me and I’ll see if I can’t get an album into your hands!  LOL!!!

By the way - if you “think” you recognize the name - you may have seen Kylie as the host of GAC’s “Edge of Country” or as a member of Patty Loveless’ touring band!

Not many checking in I see.

Well....lately I have had the privilege of receiving early releases for Rodney Crowell (Sex and Gasoline) and Chris Knight. Both new CD’s are to be released early September. I will be posting my review for Crowell’s CD on the site next week.
I highly recommend both. Crowell is an exceptional artist...as is Knight. Each represent some of the best writing talents today.

Also have a pre-release for Todd Snider which I will be sharing with everyone soon as well. That CD comes out in October.

As for the older stuff...this week I went back into my Billy Joe Shaver CD’s...and dug out Tramp On Your Street. Highly recommend this one. It teams Billy Joe with son Eddy...who blazes on guitar throughout this one.

I have been doing some research for my upcoming Todd Snider interview, and dug out some of his stuff. “Songs For The Daily Planet” was an outstanding CD. Eddy Shaver on guitar again does an amazing job.
Todd has written a wide array of great songs....and of course his sharp intellect and sense of humor shines throughout. I am definitely looking forward to this interview. Watch for it on the site soon.
If you are not familiar with Todd’s stuff....do yourself a favor and check him out.

Sticking with the Eddy Shaver theme....I also dug out a bootleg from the mid-1980’s when Eddy was playing guitar for Dwight Yoakam. Many are not aware that it is Eddy playing guitar on Long White Cadillac. Check out this video...and see if you can spot Eddy lurking in the background toward the end.....at the 4:22 mark you see him quite clearly.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wf8B8-oYTME

Given that I caught my local favorites, “The Band of Heathens”, this weekend I will have to say that’s all I’ve been spinning the last few days.  I’m happy to see the Heathens land the #2 spot on the Americana Music Chart this week!!! Congratulations to Gordy, Ed, Colin, Seth & John on the success of their first studio CD. It’s a cracker (to quote the MilesOfMusic.com term)

Just got back from a short trip to Florida. Took along my ipod after loading a few new discs on it. I was flipping between the old and new....and realized how under appreciated Robbie Fulks is as a songwriter. He has some quality stuff that hardly anyone has heard.
The new Chris Knight CD is good....you need to pick that one up if you have not.
Todd Snider has a short 6 song CD coming out in early October which is very good. His duets with Patty Griffin....especially the remake of CCR’s “Fortunate Son” is outstanding. I think he will have that set up as a free download on his site very soon...the entire CD for 10 days....it is his birthday so he wanted to give something to his fans.
Blaze Foley continues to impress me. “Fat Boy Anymore” is classic!

So, I’m living in Knoxville and they have a show every month called Tennessee Shines. This month’s bill had Cherryholmes on it.  What can you all tell me about them. I heard it’s definitely worth the $10 to make the show. I would love any feedback.